Expectant mums can take Altnagelvin virtual tour thanks to DVD

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has developed and released an informative DVD to give parents a preview of the maternity facilities before the birth of their baby.

Maureen Miller, Lead Midwife at the Western Trust said: “We are really delighted to be able to offer this innovative virtual tour of the maternity facilities which will benefit expectant mothers and their families who choose to deliver here.

“It is hoped that the DVD will provide a valuable experience as it guides the viewer through the entire maternity experience.

“We recognise that women and their partners feel more reassured when they are familiar with the place where they plan to have their baby and know what care and support they will receive before, during and immediately after the birth.”

The information contained in the virtual tour film is presented and narrated by members of the midwifery team.

The content covers access to the maternity unit, consultant care, midwifery led care, birth choices, pain relief, the antenatal and postnatal wards and neonatal intensive care unit.

The film can be viewed on the Trust’s website and a small number of DVD copies are available for loan from community midwives.

For those expectant mothers with a particular anxiety or complication in pregnancy a tour in person at the hospital can be arranged.

The virtual tour DVD will take over from the traditional guided tour, which has been running at the hospital for a number of years. Maureen added: “There are 2,800 babies born at Altnagelvin Hospital every year.

“By providing this DVD we aim to give reassurance and information for parents-to-be and ensure the privacy and dignity of women in our care is not compromised on the unit by large groups of additional visitors.

“We hope the tour film is more convenient for expectant mothers and their families to see the environment and learn about the care we will provide during their time at the hospital.”

Copies of the DVD can be requested from a community midwife or viewed on the Western Trust’s website under ‘A to Z of Services’ and ‘Maternity Services’.